Carnival Weekend

Sun, 9 Nov 2008 20:30:24 +0000

Unless you live in the area or you know someone who does, you’ll be forgiven for wondering what’s so amazing about the Bridgwater Carnival - that’s right, Bridgwater without an ‘e’, the Somerset town that reputedly, Queen Victoria demanded her train should travel past with blinds down, as it offended her. It’s an unfair assessment and probably an urban myth. The truth of the matter is that until recently when the cellophane factory stopped producing its clear film, it was a very smelly town.

Facts about the carnival:

It’s the largest illuminated carnival in the Country
its modern origins can be traced back to 1847
its a celebration of Guy Fawkes’ plot
this year’s collection amounted to just under £27,000
the monies collected go to local charities and the carnival clubs
traditionally locals collect their copper coin all year round to throw into the collection carts and give to collectors walking the route
although a whole evening’s entertainment comes absolutely free, on average each person only gives 20p to the charity collection
Bridgwater Rotary Club is usually the top collector and as such is given the opportunity to sweep the coins that fall short of the first coin ‘cart’
what is probably a float to anyone outside of Somerset is a Cart to locals
for photos of this years processions click here

On Saturday, we met the crew for supper at C&G’s farmhouse. I made Gordon Ramsay’s pear tarte tatin and a take on Nigella’s quick pistachio chocolate fudge (one half with chopped rose turkish delight, pistachios and a drop or two of rose water, and the other with chopped mint crisps - both very good but the former my outright favourite).

Obama for President

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 14:05:07 +0000

In November 2006 I saved a cutting from the Guardian which listed contenders for leader of the two major US parties and ultimately the Presidency. Yesterday, I read the article. It acknowledged Obama but asked the question, “Is America ready for a black President?” It asked a similar question of Hilary Clinton, his Democrat leadership opponent. “Is America ready for a woman President?”

We love a ‘rags to riches’ story. What a great role model for the youth of the UK. Born in Hertfordshire, in 1985, this young man knew exactly what he wanted from life by the age of 12 and had a family who has supported him throughout.

Then the Bank of England cut interest rates by an incredible 1.5%. It’s now at its lowest since 1955. What does that say about our economy?

A Trip to the Zoo

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 20:44:42 +0000

Bristol Zoo has changed a great deal since we used to visit with the girls. Eric was hoping to see the elephants but there are no longer any large animals in residence which is sensible given the compact nature of the site. A pair of lions or ‘tigers’ according to James, were our first encounter. It reminded me of the monologue about Albert and the Lion, composed in 1932 by Marriott Edgar:

There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool,
That's noted for fresh air and fun,
And Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom
Went there with young Albert, their son.

A grand little lad was young Albert,
All dressed in his best; quite a swell
With a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle,
The finest that Woolworth's could sell.

They didn't think much to the Ocean:
The waves, they were fiddlin' and small,
There was no wrecks and nobody drownded,
Fact, nothing to laugh at at all.

So, seeking for further amusement,
They paid and went into the Zoo,
Where they'd Lions and Tigers and Camels,
And old ale and sandwiches too.

There were one great big Lion called Wallace;
His nose were all covered with scars -
He lay in a somnolent posture,
With the side of his face on the bars.

Now Albert had heard about Lions,
How they was ferocious and wild -
To see Wallace lying so peaceful,
Well, it didn't seem right to the child.

So straightway the brave little feller,
Not showing a morsel of fear,
Took his stick with its 'orse's 'ead 'andle
And pushed it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the Lion didn't like it,
For giving a kind of a roll,
He pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im,
And swallowed the little lad 'ole.

Then Pa, who had seen the occurrence,
And didn't know what to do next,
Said 'Mother! Yon Lion's 'et Albert',
And Mother said 'Well, I am vexed!'

Then Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom -
Quite rightly, when all's said and done -
Complained to the Animal Keeper,
That the Lion had eaten their son.

The keeper was quite nice about it;
He said 'What a nasty mishap.
Are you sure that it's your boy he's eaten?'
Pa said "Am I sure? There's his cap!'

The manager had to be sent for.
He came and he said 'What's to do?'
Pa said 'Yon Lion's 'et Albert,
'And 'im in his Sunday clothes, too.'

Then Mother said, 'Right's right, young feller;
I think it's a shame and a sin,
For a lion to go and eat Albert,
And after we've paid to come in.'

The manager wanted no trouble,
He took out his purse right away,
Saying 'How much to settle the matter?'
And Pa said "What do you usually pay?'

But Mother had turned a bit awkward
When she thought where her Albert had gone.
She said 'No! someone's got to be summonsed' -
So that was decided upon.

Then off they went to the P'lice Station,
In front of the Magistrate chap;
They told 'im what happened to Albert,
And proved it by showing his cap.

The Magistrate gave his opinion
That no one was really to blame
And he said that he hoped the Ramsbottoms
Would have further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazing,
'And thank you, sir, kindly,' said she.
'What waste all our lives raising children
To feed ruddy Lions? Not me!'

Thankfully, Postman Pat’s van was about the only thing to consume our James; that, the adventure play area, a grassy mound perfect for running up and down and a pair of seals attempting to take great bites from each other!

Visiting Friends at Ferndale Lodge

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 21:21:18 +0000

Although I have the beginnings of a head cold and am feeling decidedly ‘bunged up’, I really looked forward to visiting Julie, Jon and family in Torquay. Julie promised a Sunday roast “just like old times’ and I volunteered a cake.

If the cake looks a bit of a ‘dog’s dinner’ then it’s not surprising. I dropped it whilst removing it from the tin! It’s amazing how you can avert a disaster with chocolate and nuts. Despite its patched nature, it was quite good.

Julie and I met in 1990 when we enrolled on our degree course at Rolle College, Exmouth. Together with Julie’s Mum, Joan, and Dad, Bob, who sadly died a few years ago, the two families became firm friends. It’s one of those relationships which is more family-like. We’ve shared family celebrations, births and deaths and although we don’t see each other as often as we’d like, we pick up just where we left off - it’s seamless.

Thank you Julie and Jon for a lovely day. See you at the wedding!

Halloween and All Hallows

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 20:44:30 +0000

This morning, after breakfast, and before Vicki and Paul picked them up, we took the boys to the park to run off their boundless energy. It was a lovely Autumn morning, cold and crisp, with the weather promising to deteriorate before nightfall.

In the afternoon we helped with the Square Autumn clean-up.

Between us we filled at least 18 of these builders bags and heavy rain set in just as we were clearing up - 4.40pm.